ERBIL — The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) reached an agreement on Sunday to elect a Kurdish candidate for the governor of Kirkuk, while also committing to enhancing efforts to defend and uphold the constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region.

In a joint statement, both parties announced their agreement on several key points following a meeting. They reaffirmed their commitment to appointing a Kurdish governor for Kirkuk province and emphasized the collective responsibility of all Kurdish parties in safeguarding the Kurdistan Region's status and honoring the sacrifices made in its defense.

Additionally, they agreed to collaborate at a high level to address political and economic challenges with the federal government, with a focus on improving livelihoods, services, budget allocations, and employee salaries.

The political bureaus of the KDP and the PUK convened on Sunday in Sulaymaniyah to discuss the political and economic situation in the Kurdistan Region, unresolved issues with the federal government including budget allocations and employee salaries, and the provincial council elections.